Here's the deal: BlackBerry is going to release it in Google Play and in Samsung's own app store in a few select locations. (Yes, Samsung has its own app store.) If you've already registered with BlackBerry somehow, you'll be good to go and BBM should work. If you've yet to sign up, you'll be able to today — and you'll be placed in waiting list. No telling how long that list will be.

The official word looks like this:

The demand for BBM on Android and BBM on iPhone continues to be amazing. About six million people signed up for information about BBM at BBM.com. As you know, in just seven hours, about one million Android users were using the unreleased version of BBM for Android. What you don’t know is that more than one million people have found creative ways to “side load” BBM on their iPhone. This is incredible.

To help manage this unprecedented pent up demand for BBM, we are implementing a simple line-up system to ensure a smooth roll out. Here’s how it is going to work…

BBM Roll Out Details:

Download BBM – the easiest way is to visit BBM.com from your Android or iPhone browser*

Once you install the app, open it, and enter your email address to hold your spot in line

We will email you as soon as you reach the front of the line and can start using BBM

Have you even given it a chance? Why bash it if not? I think it looks great and works like BBM on a blackberry. It's a shame so many people think they're cool to bash a product just because it's BlackBerry. Not pointing anyone out, it's a general statement.

1. It doesn't work on Tablets. Period.
2. It doesn't support message syncing across multiple devices, so you can't send a message on one device and see the response to it on another.
3. There's no desktop client. At all.
4. There's a persistent notification in the status bar. It never can be dismissed. If you turn it off, your messages might be delayed.

If this list of faults was attributed to any messaging app other than BBM, everyone would be too busy laughing at it to summon the will to even bother downloading it. if those four qualities were applied to Hangouts, whatsapp or iMessage, then BBM lovers would be, rightfully, bashing the apps as being ineptly designed.

Are you sure about that? Did you get a message to sign up for Google+ when you signed into Hangouts? My young son does not have a Google+ account and is still able to video chat with me on his iPad when I travel via Hangouts.

If you have a gmail account pretty sure that is the same as having a google+ account. Just sign in and you should be good. You may not ever log into google+ but you still have one. You dont need to log INTO G+ ever.

If you have a Gmail account, then you have a G+ account whether you like it or not, so your whole reason for not trying Hangouts is silly to say the least. The whole point of having a "Google Account" is for it to work with every service that they have without additional hassle.

It's no different than with Hangouts/iMessage. YOu need to have an account. A BBM account is ONLY a BBM account. A Hangouts/Google account also comes with other tools. With any of the services, you need an account. Whether that account comes with other services or not doesn't really matter unless you want it to..

Well obviously you need SOME email or it wont work. So stop acting like Google and Apple are wicked sinners while BBM is the Savior of us all. Either way you have to have an email somewhere to use the effing thing. Get over it!

Not trolling here...but I really don't understand why so many folks say that "Hangouts sucks".

I use it all the time and think it's great, it's one shortcoming being that too many of friends (even those with Android) simply don't use it...what sucks about it?

It works great across platforms (Android, iOS and desktop at least), does group messages very well, keeps an archive of my conversations, and supports picture messages as well. Frankly, it does everything the BBM on my old BlackBerry used to do, but I'm not limited only folks with other BlackBerries.

It may very well be a 4.4+ feature. It may also be that Google wants to announce all of the awesome all at the same time. We'll find out soon, which will be well before the rest of the BBM features roll out.

I doubt it'll be an exclusive 4.4 feature. The app will get updated along with the release of Android 4.4. My guess is those with 4.0+ will be able to continue to us the app as before. Why would Google make an app that EVERYONE on 4.0+ can use and then only hold the SMS feature to 4.4? Doesn't make sense to me. If you have an updated a hangouts app, you're golden.

As much as you don't them to. ZTE and Huawei is here to stay at least for the foreseeable future. Even though they have a extremely small but increasing presence in North America.. Their growth in the last few years in every point of the globe is almost as head scratching as the Chinese Economy.

Better late then never. Obviously there are still millions of people that are waiting for this.
So from the announcement it sounds like some people will be able to download the app, but won't be able to use it right away? If that's the case, then that is kind of messed. Doesn't seem very professional....

This all sounds like they are scared of what might happen to the servers.

"Hold your spot in line and hope shit don't get all fubar and hopefully you will get to BBM a friend before the servers crash. We know your excited and so are we! We are also very scared and not quite sure we are ready but what the hell it's now or never "

I completely understand why Blackberry wants to release this to other platforms since their platform is practically dead. But, outside of business purposes, what would be the need for this for non business purposes? To this day I still don't understand the need for other instant messaging applications when the majority of people have a texting plan.

Well, there are markets outside US and EU, quite huge markets which don't have texting plan. In my country, a lot of people don't speak English properly and the so called "old people" (50+ yrs old) just can't keep up with all the new apps and technology. So they still rely on BBM that has been around quite a long time (BB got lucky here, found huge popularity since 2008). From my personal experience, I only use my BBM to keep myself updated on family news (we have very large members of extended family) through BBM news. For other personal usage, I use mainly Hangouts and WhatsApp. I only use BBM to text my dad and uncles, aunties, etc etc (old people)

Excuse my ignorance but what is the point of BBM? It's just a text messenger from what I understand. Just seems like it has blown up for just a messenger, hangout never gets the attention so there has to be a point to this app that i'm not seeing.

Should I bother trying the BBM if I don't know anybody
who has a Blackberry?

Since their last botched release several weeks ago,
I have found out that none of the 112 contacts on
my phone uses Blackberry. 60% use Android and the
other 35% use iOS. (the remaining on dumb phones)

The computer geek at my company's IT department also
said there are no Blackberry users in our company
of 280 employees. (according to the access logs
to the company internal server)

You don't have to know anyone with a Blackberry THAT IS THE IDEA!
Multi Platform! If you know people with Android or iOS then you will know people with BBM.
So what is your point? It's a GREAT instant chat app, way better than Hangouts, whatsapp or kik

What's better about BBM over Hangouts? I used to use a Blackberry back in the day (2007ish) and I used BBM a lot at that time. I don't remember anything particularly impressive about it. It worked, I used it. What am I missing? What exactly is so great about BBM? I keep hearing people say it's better, but no reasons to support why?

"you might even have an app for that."
We do, sorry if you BB folks don't have the marketshare to get one.

"Buuuuut getting them to use Hangouts is ok? Or imessage? or Kik? or whatsapp?"
You're correct in that it IS the same thing. The thing is, most people are already using messaging platforms (Hangout integrates seamlessly into Google's other products). Many are using multiple platforms. And I don't know about you, but no one I know has ever said "Gee I need yet another messaging platform on my phone." Most people want fewer, why should they add another one that brings no added value to their messaging experience? And with no desktop client?

Since you've used BBM, I have a question. If i'm using BBM on my phone, and then I leave it in another room but I have my Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and want to see if anyone has responded in the BBM chat, can I open BBM on my tablet and read from where I left off from my phone? Cause if not, this isn't better than Hangouts. I'm hearing that it doesn't support tablets. IF that's the case, they missed the mark big time and this will not even compare to Hangouts.

Why do you think SMS integration into hangouts is such a big deal on this website? Because it removes the barrier that's why I message is popular and the reason hangouts is highly anticipated. No one will stop using what they are already using to sign up for a completely new messaging service unless its integrated into SMS.

BBM has I think about 60 million active users on Blackberry devices alone. Android and iPhone has a much much bigger market than BlackBerry, so there's a pretty good chance will be closing the gap on Whatsapp. I don't think the US market will can't on though.

Lets call it curious demand, but if they release it and its just a basic messaging service BBM should be alarmed. Curiosity will only be there for the initial download after that BBM better bring something to the table especially with hangouts update looming. What Im saying is it needs a killer feature for people to continue to use it and not uninstall it right away which I have a feeling that it will just be too basic for people and it will soon be forgotten. But who knows maybe some pigs will fly today.

i agree with this, especially the first sentence. these installs aren't people saying GIVE ME MY BBM NOW, these are people who are quite curious to see what all the hype is about and uninstall soon after. the same thing happened with Facebook Home. A lot of them are techies or bloggers who want to know what it is ahead of official release. installs will drop off dramatically after the first week, as will active users.

None of that means anything tho. All this page views and comments mean nothing if BB doesn't deliver something special or different something that keeps the interest of users. One thing about messaging apps is that if none of your friends are on it than its worthless. Its one of those deals that without sms intergration and the need for everyone of the people you know to be on BBM makes its chances very slim

I know what you mean, brother. It's a tough sell. Most of my friends hate texting, anyway. After one or two texts, we usually just call each other. Unless one of my friends decides to use it with me, then I won't even have a reason to download it.

I clicked because I was curious. Now that I find out this BBM has nothing to offer me that I don't already have working with my acquaintances, the curiosity is gone and I will not be looking to "get on this list" for a download.

Its going to be funny when this thing drops and everyone downlaods it and then automatically uninstalls it because it wont support any features that are necessary such as sms and video calling. Its going to be a basic messaging service and at this stage its just not enough.

Thank you for registering for blackberry messenger. Due to higher than normal registration volumes, all our operators are currently assisting other customers. You are currently number 3,642,781 in line. Your estimated wait time is 1 million minutes. Please stay online as your registration is very important to us.

Thank you for registering for blackberry messenger. Due to higher than normal registration volumes, all our operators are currently assisting other customers. You are currently number 3,642,781 in line. Your estimated wait time is 1 million minutes. Please stay online as your registration is very important to us.

I'm downloading and using for sure but the way this roll out is happening makes me think that they still are not ready.

BBM is bar none the most immediate and most reliable messenger out there for those who keep asking the difference between it and text.

The D and R is something wonderful. I can't really explain it other than I've used most if not all messenger apps out and I miss BBM. You really have to use it and give it a chance to appreciate what it does.

But they all do the same facebook messenger, hangouts they all let you see the read and not read and facebook even shows you when they are typing. As for reliable I can't think of a single time I have had a problem with texting or a messaging service going out. Maybe I just dont pay enough attention.

only time have had an issue with reliability in hangouts/skype/steam (the three messaging clients i use) is when my internet connection is acting up. but that's not the service's fault, its my carrier's fault, or the fault of shitty wifi.

What makes BBM that much better than Hangouts or anything else available??? When someone asks the only response given is it's a great messenger for places where texting plans aren't available.

Keep in mind it is going to be a crippled version of BBM. It won't have channels or Video or screen sharing I believe.

So... Without all of the above, what makes BBM better than anything already available on Android???

I don't know anyone with a Blackberry and most of my contacts aren't excited,anxious, or even know about the soon release of BBM for Android and IOS.

I'll probably give it a try but it seriously has to impress before I even try telling other people to make the switch. It being crippled is already strike 1, their horrible plan on releasing is strike 2.

Some are excited about something new. Many of the REALLY excited folks are BB fanbois who never got past the shift away from the dead platform. They're excited to use an old platform with fewer features.

With all due respect... Who gives a crap? I loved BBM when I had a BlackBerry but I can't see the need on Android with so many other viable mechanisms. Not to mention the fact that RIM will be lucky to still be around in 6-12 months at which time BBM will be dead... totally!

i have both kik, and whatsapp, and i dont see a problem adding bbm to my messaging collection. why would we all argue about it?? its just another messaging aplication that we will use. i dont know anybody with a blackberry, but i know all my friends will get bbm.

SO are people downloading these apps so they don't have to pay for regular text messaging?
I just don't get it. I am not going to ask all my friends to download this app or whatsapp etc just to text them.
I think the best messaging system I have is the one built into my Moto X called Messaging...
Using the alternate apps seems to disable the phones system notifications.
When I had the LG OGP, using any app that wasn't default made the color LED / home button not work anymore.
Using something other than the stock app on my Moto will disable the notification home screen tap slide feature that is baked into the OS.
I have unlimited texts on my plan and it serves all my needs when it comes to mms/sms and it doesn't matter if they have a certain app or brand of phone. I will stick with That.

mine did recognize the email, but stupid that I am... I deleted the app for whatever reason, then it told me to wait for the email... after about 8 hours i got the email but the app still wont let me pass that page where you can click " i got the email"

Like no kidding. What the heck is this crap? Granted I can't get into the settings to see if it can get turned off because I haven't been activated yet. If this doesn't go away I'm uninstalling too. Whatsapp works just fine without a persistent notification that it is connected and signed in.

Hangouts and Whatsapp are also connected 24/7 and have no persistent notification. Exactly what extra "functionality" will I miss with BBM if I disable this setting? I never miss a Hangouts video call or Whatsapp message and I don't have to switch anything off.

Am I wrong? Call me a troll if you want, but when I see people claiming BBM is all that and a bag of chips, yet they can't clarify what it is exactly that BBM does that other apps don't do, I'm going to call them out. Especially when it's pretty clear that there are things that BBM doesn't do that it should (unavailable for tablets, no multi-device support, no desktop interface).

I love how the toggle for the persistent notification is only accessible AFTER you have a BlackBerry ID, so if you're on the wait list, you just have a persistent notification sitting there reminding you that you can't access BBM yet.

Doesnt work properly, lol. Keeps saying it needs a Wifi connection to finish of installation. Other people I know dont have this issue. Bbm flops again. I really think there is an idiot at the helm of that company.... Complete and utter morons!!!!

Absolutely true. BB used to be a great company making great products. But they stopped innovating and refused to look at what the market was demanding. Now there's a very good chance the company simply won't exist any more in three years. Sad.

Fn bs, I finally got to register after waiting 24 hours, just to find out I already had an account saved from when I had a BlackBerry years ago...reset password and now I'm stuck enqueue again to register all over again

Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by the Android Open Source Project
and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 2.5 Attribution License. AndroidCentral is an independent site
that is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.